As one door closes, another opens. Never has this been more true than in the Northern Quarter right now, where chefs are rotating kitchens like it’s a game of musical chairs.
Modern Chinese favourite Salt and Pepper has just made its exit from Black Dog, the popular late-night bar that opens until 4am, in preparation to open its own venue round the corner on High Street.
In its place, Kong’s Chicken Shop has moved in with a brand new taco and quesadilla concept.
After a very happy year of naughty burgers and roast dinners at Northern Monk Taproom (now home to beloved lasagne restaurant Lazy Tony’s), the team is venturing on to pastures new with a new Mexican-inspired menu of gravy-soaked goodies.
Of course. Kong’s signature fried chicken still features prominently. In fact, you can still get your hands on Kong’s signature burger and some of the most popular sandwiches. But in truth, we’re here for the tacos.
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Think thigh meat brined for three hours, rolled in a secret spice mix, then double-dredged for a crispier texture, topping a 6-inch hasa marina corn taco with accompanying iceberg, chipotle slaw, diced pickles and burger sauce.
Elsewhere on the new list, you’ll find Al Pastor adobo pork neck tacos, barbacoa beef shin tacos with green jalapeno harissa, and sustainable white battered fish tacos with crispy capers, tartar and tajin shoestring fries.
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As ever, the food at Kong’s is set apart by the attention to detail. There is no scrimping on flavour here.
As for the new quesadillas, each comes with candied jalapenos, guacamole and heaps of cheese, as well as crema and house hot sauce.
As for sides and sauces, choose from crispy shoestring fries, queso cheese loaded fries, or a ‘nacho salad’ with charred sweetcorn, salsa, lime jalapeno dressing and crumbled cheese.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Almost Famous announce they are closing their Withington restaurant in candid statement
Danny Jones
The unfortunate hospitality news just keeps coming, it seems, as Almost Famous have announced they will soon be closing their Withington restaurant.
A staple of the Manchester foodie scene for over a decade now and with a growing empire across the North, the ‘dirty burger’ pioneers aren’t just one of the most recognisable restaurant names in Greater Manchester, they’re tastemakers and have been for years.
However, unlike the OG site in the Northern Quarter which first began blowing burger fans away back in 2012, their Great Northern Warehouse venue or their locations in Leeds, Almost Famous‘ Withington site simply isn’t working.
In truth, their most recent restaurant and fifth all-told had been struggling for a while and it was only back in May that they were thanking customers for helping them ‘pull through’ a rough patch, but it seems they’ve sadly slumped back into being quiet and can no longer continue in this fashion.
Explaining in the lengthy and clearly emotional statement, beloved owner Beau Myers wrote: “Announcement (sad sh***y one, sorry).
Sorry to say we will be closing the Withington branch of Almost Famous. It’s not working, we’re not busy enough and it’s dragging us down.
“Really sorry to disappoint you guys, we’ve tried and we’ve pushed and you’ve been amazing for supporting us, this just isn’t the one. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up, admit you f****d up, learn from your mistakes limit the damage and move on.
“We got sucked in with perhaps the most beautiful site ever in the wrong location (for us). It really is/was my fav[ourite] famous and I’m gutted it’s closing, it looks the coolest, we had the staff party there this year. I wish some of the art wasn’t straight on the wall so we could take it with us.”
Almost Famous Withington will be closing after their final dinner service next weekend. (Credit: The Manc Group)
They go on to add: “We will be closing after service on Sunday 22nd (next weekend). Please come down and say goodbye and enjoy this beautiful place one last time before it goes forever. There will be drinks and tears and laughs.
Having visited the particular branch a few times ourselves not only in a work capacity but in our own personal time, we can confirm the Withington restaurant had a special charm to it and we’re also very sad to see it go.
It goes without saying that the comments were filled with support, with one person writing, “This is so sad I’m so sorry: you’ve tried really hard. Sad loss for Withington”, and another adding, “Always sad when a place with friendly staff, serving good food, good drinks and at a reasonable price doesn’t make it… onwards and upwards.”
RIP Almost Famous Withy — we hope you come back one day soon and we’re sure the whole team will bounce back stronger than ever no matter what comes next for the much-loved brand.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd September 2022 
